Automatic locking system

ABSTRACT

A security system for locking closure members and having a locking bolt adapted to be automatically projected to its locking position when the closure members are also in the locking position and having means for automatically deadlocking the locking bolt when it is in the locking position. Novel means is provided for locking the inside door knob against unauthorized rotation.

United States Patent Hawkins 1451 Aug. 8, 1972 AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM References Cited [72] Inventor: Paul Maddison Hawkins, Stillwater, UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,104,838 1 [1938 Leonard ..70/208 x [73] Assignee: General Alarm Corporation, New 2,117,203 5/1938 Muro ..70/2l6 York, NY. Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr. [22] 1970 Att0rneyWard, McElhannon, Brooks & Fitzpatrick [21] Appl. No.: 10,677

Related US. Application Data L f l k be d secunty system or 0c mg cosure mem rs an [62] g $2 22 721309 Aim] 1968 having a locking bolt adapted to be automatically projected to its locking position when the closure membets are also in the locking position and having means (5| for automatically deadlocking the locking bolt when. it 58] g 216 217 is in the locking position. Novel means is provided for locking the inside door knob against unauthorized rotation.

1Claim,6DrawingFigures AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM This application is a division of my copending application, Ser. No. 721,809, filed Apr. 16, 1968 now US. Pat. No. 3,554,593 datedJan. 12, 1971.

This invention relates to security systems, and more particularly, to improved means for securing premises against unauthorized entry.

Those persons skilled in the art are aware of the constant and continuing efforts to improve security of persons and property, as well as the fact that while numerous improvements have been made over the years, a satisfactory measure of security has not yet been achieved.

Thus, the present invention contemplates the provision of an improved security mechanism and alarm system to the end that individuals may economically afford themselves and their premises adequate protection against unauthorized entry and may provide warning thereof before entry is actually achieved.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a novel bolt-type lock mechanism. In general, a bolt-type lock mechanism makes use of a massive locking bolt which is mounted to be manually projected into a bolt keeper. This locking bolt is usually provided with a deadlocking arrangement and also with an external configuration (generally rectangular) which prevents its being retracted by the use of prying devices or similarly externally applied tools.

The above described bolt-type lock arrangement, which is manually operated, is generally used in conjunction with a door-latch arrangement on the same door or closure member.

A so-called door-latch arrangement is somewhat similar to a bolt-type lock arrangement in that it projects a door-latch element into a keeper to hold a door or other closure in closed position. However, a door-latch arrangement uses a latching element which is spring biased to a projected or latching condition. The latching element is generally bevelled toward its outer end so that it will automatically cam itself into the keeper upon closing of the door. Obviously, this latching arrangement does not have a deadlocking feature since this would prevent the door-latch from automatically caming itself into the keeper as the door is closed.

The present invention provides the security aspects of a locking bolt together with the automatic engaging aspects of a door-latch in a singular compact unit. This is achieved by providing a housing having a locking bolt mounted therein for movement between projected and retracted positions relative to the housing. The locking bolt is spring biased toward its projected position. An internal stop means is provided to hold the locking bolt in its retracted position against the spring bias. A projecting trigger member is provided in the housing to release. the stop means, and to allow projection of the locking bolt. The trigger member may be positioned to be engaged and actuated by an element on the door or door jamb when the door is closed and the locking bolt becomes aligned with its keeper.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing which has two parallel guide channels extending through one side thereof. The

locking bolt is mounted in one of these channels for reciprocal movement between projected and retracted positions relative to the housing, while the trigger member is mounted in the other guide channel for similar reciprocal movement between projected and retracted positions relative to the housing. Cam notches are provided in the interfacing surfaces of the locking bolt and the trigger member, and means are also provided for biasing both the locking bolt and the trigger member to their projected positions. A floating bolt stop cam is interposed between the two parallel channels to engage the cam notches of the locking bolt and the trigger member. In operation, the bolt stop cam holds the locking bolt in its retracted position when the trigger member is in its projected position and then releases the locking bolt toits projected position when the trigger member is moved to its retracted position by an element on the door or door jamb.

A further feature of the novel locking bolt arrangement of the present invention is that the locking bolt automatically becomes deadlocked in its projected or locking position by adeadlocking mechanism so that it may not be forced back by externally applied tools etc. Yet, when authorized retraction is effected, i.e., either internally by actuation of the door knob or externally by use of a proper key, the deadlock will be released as the bolt is retracted. This is achieved in the present invention by the use of a bolt retraction member, such as a lever or a block which moves along a given path within the housing to engage and retract the bolt. The bolt retraction member is arranged to release the deadlocking mechanism from the locking bolt during the initial portion of its bolt retraction movement.

In still another aspect of the present invention, novel .means are provided for key locking the security locking device so as to prevent operation of the bolt retraction element from inside of the door. This arrangement permits the locking device to be used effectively on glass doors and other closures which may be partially broken into, since the locking mechanism cannot be retracted from the inside without a special key, and thus any attempt by a potential thief to break the glass or the like and reach in to unlatch the door is rendered ineffective.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several aspects of the invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Certain specific applications of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing, in closed condition, a door locking arrangement in which the present invention is embodied;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the interior of the arrangement of the door locking arrangement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing a door knob locking assembly used in the door locking arrangement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5.

In FIGS. l6 there is shown one embodiment of the present invention having specially designed features which offer the greatest possible protection for glass paneled doors and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the security locking system of this embodiment includes a lock housing 12 which is adapted to be mounted on the door and a strike plate assembly 14 which is adapted to be mounted in the door jamb 11. The housingsupports a locking bolt 130 which is adapted to be automatically projected when the door 10 is closed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the locking bolt 130 is shaped substantially as the locking bolt but for a cut-out 131 made in its rear portion. The cut-out 131 extends from the center of the locking bolt 131 to its rear portion and is shaped to house a floating retracting block 139. The locking bolt 130 still cooperates, however, with the trigger member 37 and the deadlocking bar 86 as the locking bolt 15. Slideways 132 and 134 are provided in bores 135, 136 and 1370f the locking bolt 130 to guide the floating retracting block 139 thereon. The floating retracting block 139 is provided with two bores 140 and 141 which extend completely along its longitudinal axis and in which the slideways 132 and 134 project. In addition, the floating retracting block 139 is biased by a spring 142 in the direction towards the .locking bolts projected position and away from the rear portion 143 of the locking bolt 130.

' The bottom of the floating retracting block 139 is provided with a horizontal channel at 144 which is open to a tab 145 of the deadlocking bar 86 and which channel defines a stop at 146 for the tab. As shown in FIG. 19, cam engaging slots 147 and 149 are provided in each of the lateral sides of the retracting block 139 and are adapted to accept key cams 150 and 151, respectively. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, separate cylinder locks 152 and 154 are positioned in the outside and inside parts of the door 10 and these operate key cams 150 and 151, respectively, to retract the locking bolt 130 in a manner to be described.

When the locking bolt 130 is positioned in its projected or locked position, the floating retracting block 139 engages the tab 145 of the deadlocking bar 86 and cooperates with the bar to compress the spring 142 and to bias the floating retracting block 139 to the projected position shown in FIG. 2. This arrangement additionally produces a biasing effect on the deadlocking bar 86 and operates in substantially the same manner as the bolt retraction lever 61 to effect automatic deadlocking of the locking bolt 130.

In order to retract the locking bolt 130 and open the door, either key cam 150 or 151 is rotated by its respective cylinder lock 152 or 154. This rotation disengages the floating retraction block from the deadlocking bar 86, and thus releases the latters deadlocking eflect on the locking bolt. Since the floating retraction block 139 is mechanically coupled to the locking bolt at portion 143, further rotation of either key cam additionally retracts the locking bolt to its retracted position.

As stated above, cylinder locks 152 and 154 are positioned in the outside and inside parts of the door 10, respectively, in order that the locking bolt may be retracted and the door opened from either side. These cylinder locks may be mounted either substantially flush in the door facing fixtures or incorporated in the door knob fixtures. Obviously, if the former mounting is preferred, a separate door handle or lock-set must be used. Additionally, the features of both may be used conjunctively, i.e. one type of mounting on the outside of the door and the other type on the inside of the door.

FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6 show a door knob assembly 155 specially constructed to operate the key cams of the present embodiment. As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 4, this assembly includes a cylinder lock 156, a handle or knob 157 for housing the cylinder lock, and a housing cover 159 especially adapted to cooperate with the cylinder lock and the door knob in a manner to be described. The cover 159 is providedwith an aperture 160 which allows the cylinder lock 156 to project therein and engage a lock cam which is operable to retract the floating retracting block. The cylinder lock 156 is secured in this position by a lock washer or the like (not shown).An elongated slot 161 and a guide screw 162 for engagement therewith, are provided in the door knob 157 and the cylinder lock 156, respectively, for allowing the door knob to assume projected and retracted positions along its rotational axis with relation to the locking cylinder.

The-door knob 157 is biased to its projected position away from the door by the operation of the compression spring 164 housed in the grooves 165 and 166 provided in the cylinder lock 156 and the door knob 157, respectively. When in this projected position, the door knob 157 is free to rotate the cylinder lock 156, and thus in turn retract the locking bolt 130.

When it is desired to lock the door and, thus prevent retraction of the locking bolt 130, the door knob 157 is urged inwardly toward the door against the bias of the spring 164 to its retracted position. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the door knob 157 is automatically held in this position by the engagement of the locking latch 167 of the cylinder lock with the recess 169 provided in the door knob 157. When the door knob 157 is in this retracted position, the boss 170 of the cover 159 engages the recess 171 of the door knob 157, and prevents relative rotational movement between the cover and the door knob, thereby locking the door knob 157 and preventing retraction of the locking bolt.

It will. be appreciated from the above, that this embodiment has special application to glass paneled doors and the like since when such a cylinder lock arrangement is provided in the inside part of the door and locked in the manner described above, the locking bolt can not be retracted from the inside without a special key and thus, any attempt by a potential thief to break the glass and reach in to unlatch the door is rendered ineffective.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus of the class described for locking a closure knob against rotation, said apparatus comprising a housing having external boss means thereon, a cylinder lock mounted to said housing and adapted to lock and unlock closure members, a closure knob for housing said cylinder lock and adapted for rotating same to lock and unlock said closure members, said closure knob also being adapted to assume first and second axial positions relative to said cylinder lock,

said closure knob being free to rotate said cylinder lock when in the first position, said closure knob having a recess for receiving said boss means for holding said 

1. An apparatus of the class described for locking a closure knob against rotation, said apparatus comprising a housing having external boss means thereon, a cylinder lock mounted to said housing and adapted to lock and unlock closure members, a closure knob for housing said cylinder lock and adapted for rotating same to lock and unlock said closure members, said closure knob also being adapted to assume first and second axial positions relative to said cylinder lock, said closure knob being free to rotate said cylinder lock when in the first position, said closure knob having a recess for receiving said boss means for holding said closure knob against rotation when in said second position, said cylinder lock having an axially extending groove on the periphery thereof and said closure knob having a mating axially extending groove on the inside surface thereof, a compression spring mounted in said mating grooves for biasing said closure knob to said first position, said cylinder lock having a radially extending locking latch and said closure knob having a mating recess on the inside surface thereof for receiving said locking latch for locking said closure knob in said second position. 